Camera module and electronic device including the same

ABSTRACT

A camera module is disclosed. The camera module includes a camera housing, a camera assembly including a lens and an image sensor, at least a portion of the camera assembly being disposed inside the camera housing, and a guide plate connected to the camera assembly and the camera housing. The camera assembly is rotatable with respect to each of a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis, which are substantially perpendicular to an optical axis L of the lens. The guide plate includes a central portion disposed in a peripheral portion of the lens, a first portion and a second portion, which extend from the central portion in a direction of the first rotation axis and are rotatably connected to the camera assembly, and a third portion and a fourth portion, which extend from the central portion in a direction of the second rotation axis and are rotatably connected to the camera housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of KoreanPatent Application Serial No. 10-2020-0003934, which was filed in theKorean Intellectual Property Office on Jan. 10, 2020, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates generally to a camera module and an electronicdevice including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

An electronic device may include one or more camera modules. A cameramodule may have an auto focusing function by which a lens moves in anoptical axis direction in order to auto focus the lens. The electronicdevice may also have a function for compensating for shaking of thecamera module. For example, to compensate for shaking, the lens may movein a direction other than the optical axis direction in order tocompensate for vibration applied to the camera module.

A camera module may support various functions, such as a functionrelated to image stabilization and/or a function related to autofocusing. However, in a conventional camera module, only a lens may moveor rotate, and an image sensor thereof is fixed during imagestabilization, and thus, an acquired image may deteriorate in quality.

SUMMARY

The disclosure has been made to address at least the disadvantagesdescribed above and to provide at least the advantages described below.

An aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic device includinga camera module having an auto focusing function through which a lensmoves in an optical axis direction and/or a function through which thelens rotates and moves about at least two axes.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a camera module isprovided. The camera module includes a camera housing; a camera assemblyincluding a lens and an image sensor, wherein at least a portion of thecamera assembly is disposed inside the camera housing; and a guide plateconnected to the camera assembly and the camera housing. The cameraassembly is rotatable with respect to each of a first rotation axis anda second rotation axis, which are substantially perpendicular to anoptical axis L of the lens. The guide plate includes a central portiondisposed in a peripheral portion of the lens, a first portion and asecond portion, which extend from the central portion in a direction ofthe first rotation axis and are rotatably connected to the cameraassembly, and a third portion and a fourth portion, which extend fromthe central portion in a direction of the second rotation axis and arerotatably connected to the camera housing. Each of the first portion andthe second portion of the guide plate includes a first coupling portioncoupled to the camera housing and a first extension portion extendingfrom the central portion to the first coupling portion and extending tobe inclined from the central portion. Each of the third portion and thefourth portion of the guide plate includes a second coupling portioncoupled to the camera housing and a second extension portion extendingfrom the central portion to the second coupling portion and extending tobe inclined from the central portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a camera module isprovided. The camera module includes a camera housing; a camera assemblyincluding a lens and an image sensor, wherein at least a portion of thecamera assembly is disposed inside the camera housing; and a guide plateconnected to the camera assembly and the camera housing. The cameraassembly is rotatable with respect to each of a first rotation axis anda second rotation axis, which are substantially perpendicular to anoptical axis of the lens. The camera assembly further includes a secondcamera housing in which the image sensor is disposed, a lens carrier ofwhich at least a portion is disposed inside the second camera housingand which comprises the lens, and a plurality of balls disposed betweenthe lens carrier and the second camera housing. The second camerahousing includes a top surface to which the lens is exposed, a bottomsurface facing the top surface, and side surfaces disposed between thetop surface and the bottom surface. The side surfaces includes a firstcorner area and a second corner area, which substantially face eachother in the direction of the first rotation axis, and third corner areaand the fourth corner area, which substantially face each other in adirection of the second rotation axis. The plurality of balls include aplurality of first balls adjacent to the fourth corner area and aplurality of second balls adjacent to the first corner area. Theplurality of second balls is greater than the plurality of first balls.A chamfer area is disposed between the fourth corner area and the topsurface.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a portablecommunication device is provided. The portable communication deviceincludes a camera housing; a camera assembly including a lens and animage sensor, wherein at least a portion of the camera assembly isdisposed inside the camera housing; a guide plate connected to thecamera assembly and the camera housing, wherein the camera assembly isrotatable with respect to each of a first rotation axis and a secondrotation axis, which are substantially perpendicular to an optical axisof the lens, and wherein the guide plate includes a first portion and asecond portion, which are rotatably connected to the camera assembly,and a third portion and a fourth portion, which are rotatably connectedto the camera housing; a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed in thecamera housing and surrounding at least a portion of the cameraassembly; a plurality of coils including a first coil disposed on afirst area of the PCB, a second coil disposed on a second area of thePCB, and a third coil disposed on at least a portion of the cameraassembly; and a processor electrically connected to the, the first coil,the second coil, and the third coil. The processor is configured toperform a first function related to the camera assembly by rotating thecamera assembly about at least one of the first rotation axis or thesecond rotation axis by using at least one of the first coil or thesecond coil; and a second function related to the camera assembly bymoving the lens using the third coil in a direction that issubstantially parallel to the optical axis L of the lens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic device in a network environmentaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a camera module according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3A illustrates a front perspective view of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B illustrates a rear perspective view of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 3C illustrates an exploded perspective view of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a camera module according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a camera moduleaccording to an embodiment;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate a guide plate of a camera moduleaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a camera module according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a second rotation driving of a camera moduleaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a first rotation driving of the camera moduleaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a camera assembly ofa camera module according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates a camera assembly of a camera module according to anembodiment;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate a guide plate, a second cover, and acamera assembly of a camera module according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates a guide plate, a second cover, and a camera assemblyof a camera module according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 14 illustrates an electronic device according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, specific details such as detailed configuration andcomponents are merely provided to assist the overall understanding ofthese embodiments. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled inthe art that various changes and modifications of the embodimentsdescribed herein can be made without departing from the scope and spiritof the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic device 101 in a network environment 100according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 101 in the networkenvironment 100 may communicate with an electronic device 102 via afirst network 198 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network),or at least one of an electronic device 104 or a server 108 via a secondnetwork 199 (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network).According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may communicatewith the electronic device 104 via the server 108. According to anembodiment, the electronic device 101 may include a processor 120,memory 130, an input module 150, a sound output module 155, a displaymodule 160, an audio module 170, a sensor module 176, an interface 177,a connecting terminal 178, a haptic module 179, a camera module 180, apower management module 188, a battery 189, a communication module 190,a subscriber identification module (SIM) 196, or an antenna module 197.In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., theconnecting terminal 178) may be omitted from the electronic device 101,or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device101. In some embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensormodule 176, the camera module 180, or the antenna module 197) may beimplemented as a single component (e.g., the display module 160).

The processor 120 may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program140) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware orsoftware component) of the electronic device 101 coupled with theprocessor 120, and may perform various data processing or computation.According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing orcomputation, the processor 120 may store a command or data received fromanother component (e.g., the sensor module 176 or the communicationmodule 190) in volatile memory 132, process the command or the datastored in the volatile memory 132, and store resulting data innon-volatile memory 134. According to an embodiment, the processor 120may include a main processor 121 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)or an application processor (AP)), or an auxiliary processor 123 (e.g.,a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), animage signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communicationprocessor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunctionwith, the main processor 121. For example, when the electronic device101 includes the main processor 121 and the auxiliary processor 123, theauxiliary processor 123 may be adapted to consume less power than themain processor 121, or to be specific to a specified function. Theauxiliary processor 123 may be implemented as separate from, or as partof the main processor 121.

The auxiliary processor 123 may control at least some of functions orstates related to at least one component (e.g., the display module 160,the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) among thecomponents of the electronic device 101, instead of the main processor121 while the main processor 121 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state,or together with the main processor 121 while the main processor 121 isin an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to anembodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., an ISP or a CP) may beimplemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module 180 orthe communication module 190) functionally related to the auxiliaryprocessor 123.

According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., theneural processing unit) may include a hardware structure specified forartificial intelligence model processing. An artificial intelligencemodel may be generated by machine learning. Such learning may beperformed, e.g., by the electronic device 101 where the artificialintelligence is performed or via a separate server (e.g., the server108). Learning algorithms may include, but are not limited to, e.g.,supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, orreinforcement learning. The artificial intelligence model may include aplurality of artificial neural network layers. The artificial neuralnetwork may be a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neuralnetwork (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmannmachine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrentdeep neural network (BRDNN), deep Q-network, or a combination of two ormore thereof but is not limited thereto. The artificial intelligencemodel may, additionally or alternatively, include a software structureother than the hardware structure.

The memory 130 may store various data used by at least one component(e.g., the processor 120 or the sensor module 176) of the electronicdevice 101. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g.,the program 140) and input data or output data for a command relatedthereto. The memory 130 may include the volatile memory 132 or thenon-volatile memory 134.

The program 140 may be stored in the memory 130 as software, and mayinclude, for example, an operating system (OS) 142, middleware 144, oran application 146.

The input module 150 may receive a command or data to be used by anothercomponent (e.g., the processor 120) of the electronic device 101, fromthe outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The inputmodule 150 may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard,a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

The sound output module 155 may output sound signals to the outside ofthe electronic device 101. The sound output module 155 may include, forexample, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for generalpurposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record. The receiver maybe used for receiving incoming calls. According to an embodiment, thereceiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

The display module 160 may visually provide information to the outside(e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The display module 160 mayinclude, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector andcontrol circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display,hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the displaymodule 160 may include a touch sensor adapted to detect a touch, or apressure sensor adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred bythe touch.

The audio module 170 may convert a sound into an electrical signal andvice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 may obtainthe sound via the input module 150, or output the sound via the soundoutput module 155 or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g.,an electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupledwith the electronic device 101.

The sensor module 176 may detect an operational state (e.g., power ortemperature) of the electronic device 101 or an environmental state(e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 101, andthen generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to thedetected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 176 mayinclude, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmosphericpressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gripsensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, abiometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or anilluminance sensor.

The interface 177 may support one or more specified protocols to be usedfor the electronic device 101 to be coupled with the external electronicdevice (e.g., the electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wiredly) orwirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface 177 may include,for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universalserial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or anaudio interface.

The connecting terminal 178 may include a connector via which theelectronic device 101 may be physically connected with the externalelectronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102). According to anembodiment, the connecting terminal 178 may include, for example, anHDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audioconnector (e.g., a headphone connector).

The haptic module 179 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanicalstimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus whichmay be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinestheticsensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module 179 mayinclude, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electricstimulator.

The camera module 180 may capture a still image or moving images.According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include one ormore lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

The power management module 188 may manage power supplied to theelectronic device 101. According to one embodiment, the power managementmodule 188 may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a powermanagement integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery 189 may supply power to at least one component of theelectronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the battery 189 mayinclude, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, asecondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module 190 may support establishing a direct (e.g.,wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel betweenthe electronic device 101 and the external electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) andperforming communication via the established communication channel. Thecommunication module 190 may include one or more communicationprocessors that are operable independently from the processor 120 (e.g.,the AP) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wirelesscommunication. According to an embodiment, the communication module 190may include a wireless communication module 192 (e.g., a cellularcommunication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or aglobal navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or awired communication module 194 (e.g., a local area network (LAN)communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). Acorresponding one of these communication modules may communicate withthe external electronic device via the first network 198 (e.g., ashort-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity(Wi-Fi) direct, or IR data association (IrDA)) or the second network 199(e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a legacy cellularnetwork, a 5th generation (5G) network, a next-generation communicationnetwork, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide areanetwork (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may beimplemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may beimplemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from eachother. The wireless communication module 192 may identify andauthenticate the electronic device 101 in a communication network, suchas the first network 198 or the second network 199, using subscriberinformation (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI))stored in the SIM 196.

The wireless communication module 192 may support a 5G network, after a4th generation (4G) network, and next-generation communicationtechnology, e.g., new radio (NR) access technology. The NR accesstechnology may support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machinetype communications (mMTC), or ultra-reliable and low-latencycommunications (URLLC). The wireless communication module 192 maysupport a high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band) to achieve, e.g.,a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module 192 maysupport various technologies for securing performance on ahigh-frequency band, such as, e.g., beamforming, massive multiple-inputand multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional (FD)-MIMO, array antenna,analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communicationmodule 192 may support various requirements specified in the electronicdevice 101, an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device104), or a network system (e.g., the second network 199). According toan embodiment, the wireless communication module 192 may support a peakdata rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for implementing eMBB, loss coverage(e.g., 164 dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g.,0.5 ms or less for each of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or a roundtrip of 1 ms or less) for implementing URLLC.

The antenna module 197 may transmit or receive a signal or power to orfrom the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of theelectronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the antenna module197 may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of aconductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate(e.g., PCB). According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 mayinclude a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas). In such a case,at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in thecommunication network, such as the first network 198 or the secondnetwork 199, may be selected, for example, by the communication module190 (e.g., the wireless communication module 192) from the plurality ofantennas. The signal or the power may then be transmitted or receivedbetween the communication module 190 and the external electronic devicevia the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment,another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC))other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part ofthe antenna module 197.

According to various embodiments, the antenna module 197 may form ammWave antenna module. According to an embodiment, the mmWave antennamodule may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on a firstsurface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, oradjacent to the first surface, and capable of supporting a designatedhigh-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas(e.g., array antennas) disposed on a second surface (e.g., the top or aside surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the secondsurface, and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of thedesignated high-frequency band.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutuallyand communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via aninter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purposeinput and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobileindustry processor interface (MIPI)).

According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted orreceived between the electronic device 101 and the external electronicdevice 104 via the server 108 coupled with the second network 199. Eachof the electronic device 102 or 104 may be a device of a same type as,or a different type, from the electronic device 101. According to anembodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronicdevice 101 may be executed at one or more of the external electronicdevices 102, 104, or 108. For example, if the electronic device 101should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response toa request from a user or another device, the electronic device 101,instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service,may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform atleast part of the function or the service. The one or more externalelectronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least partof the function or the service requested, or an additional function oran additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome ofthe performing to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of theoutcome, as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, acloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), orclient-server computing technology may be used, for example. Theelectronic device 101 may provide ultra low-latency services using,e.g., distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In anotherembodiment, the external electronic device 104 may include anInternet-of-things (IoT) device. The server 108 may be an intelligentserver using machine learning and/or a neural network. According to anembodiment, the external electronic device 104 or the server 108 may beincluded in the second network 199. The electronic device 101 may beapplied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smartcar, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology or IoT-relatedtechnology.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one ofvarious types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include,for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), acomputer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medicaldevice, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According toan embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limitedto those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the presentdisclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit thetechnological features set forth herein to particular embodiments andinclude various changes, equivalents, or replacements for acorresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of thedrawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar orrelated elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a nouncorresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unlessthe relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, eachof such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one ofA or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least oneof A, B, or C,” may include any one of, or all possible combinations ofthe items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. Asused herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” maybe used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another,and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance ororder). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a firstelement) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or“communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or“connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it means thatthe element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g.,wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used in connection with various embodiments of the disclosure herein,the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software,or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, forexample, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or “circuitry”. A module may bea single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adaptedto perform one or more functions. For example, according to anembodiment, the module may be implemented in a form of anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software(e.g., the program 140) including one or more instructions that arestored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 136 or external memory138) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device 101).For example, a processor (e.g., the processor 120) of the machine (e.g.,the electronic device 101) may invoke at least one of the one or moreinstructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with orwithout using one or more other components under the control of theprocessor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at leastone function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The oneor more instructions may include a code generated by a complier or acode executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage mediummay be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein,the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is atangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagneticwave), but this term does not differentiate between where data issemi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data istemporarily stored in the storage medium.

A method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may beincluded and provided in a computer program product. The computerprogram product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer.The computer program product may be distributed in the form of amachine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory(CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online viaan application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two user devices(e.g., smart phones) directly. If distributed online, at least part ofthe computer program product may be temporarily generated or at leasttemporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such asmemory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store,or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or aprogram) of the above-described components may include a single entityor multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may beseparately disposed in different components. According to variousembodiments, one or more of the above-described components may beomitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively oradditionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) maybe integrated into a single component. In such a case, according tovarious embodiments, the integrated component may still perform one ormore functions of each of the plurality of components in the same orsimilar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of theplurality of components before the integration. According to variousembodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or anothercomponent may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, orheuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in adifferent order or omitted, or one or more other operations may beadded.

FIG. 2 illustrates a camera module 180 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the camera module 180 may include a lens assembly210 (e.g., including a lens 431 and a lens barrel 432 of FIG. 5), aflash 220, an image sensor 230 (e.g., an image sensor 419 of FIG. 13),an image stabilizer 240, a memory 250 (e.g., a buffer memory), or animage signal processor 260. The lens assembly 210 may collect lightemitted or reflected from an object whose image is to be taken. The lensassembly 210 may include one or more lenses. According to an embodiment,the camera module 180 may include a plurality of lens assemblies 210. Insuch a case, the camera module 180 may form, for example, a dual camera,a 360-degree camera, or a spherical camera. Some of the plurality oflens assemblies 210 may have the same lens attribute (e.g., view angle,focal length, auto-focusing, f number, or optical zoom), or at least onelens assembly may have one or more lens attributes different from thoseof another lens assembly. The lens assembly 210 may include, forexample, a wide-angle lens or a telephoto lens.

The flash 220 may emit light that is used to reinforce light reflectedfrom an object. According to an embodiment, the flash 220 may includeone or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) (e.g., a red-green-blue (RGB)LED, a white LED, an IR LED, or an ultraviolet (UV) LED) or a xenonlamp. The image sensor 230 may obtain an image corresponding to anobject by converting light emitted or reflected from the object andtransmitted via the lens assembly 210 into an electrical signal.According to an embodiment, the image sensor 230 may include oneselected from image sensors having different attributes, such as a RGBsensor, a black-and-white (BW) sensor, an IR sensor, or a UV sensor, aplurality of image sensors having the same attribute, or a plurality ofimage sensors having different attributes. Each image sensor included inthe image sensor 230 may be implemented using, for example, a chargedcoupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor(CMOS) sensor.

The image stabilizer 240 may move the image sensor 230 or at least onelens included in the lens assembly 210 in a particular direction, orcontrol an operational attribute (e.g., adjust the read-out timing) ofthe image sensor 230 in response to the movement of the camera module180 or the electronic device 101 including the camera module 180. Thisallows compensating for at least part of a negative effect (e.g., imageblurring) by the movement on an image being captured. According to anembodiment, the image stabilizer 240 may sense such a movement by thecamera module 180 or the electronic device 101 using a gyro sensor or anacceleration sensor disposed inside or outside the camera module 180.According to an embodiment, the image stabilizer 240 may be implemented,for example, as an optical image stabilizer.

The memory 250 may store, at least temporarily, at least part of animage obtained via the image sensor 230 for a subsequent imageprocessing task. For example, if image capturing is delayed due toshutter lag or multiple images are quickly captured, a raw imageobtained (e.g., a Bayer-patterned image, a high-resolution image) may bestored in the memory 250, and its corresponding copy image (e.g., alow-resolution image) may be previewed via the display module 160.Thereafter, if a specified condition is met (e.g., by a user's input orsystem command), at least part of the raw image stored in the memory 250may be obtained and processed, for example, by the image signalprocessor 260. According to an embodiment, the memory 250 may beconfigured as at least part of the memory 130 or as a separate memorythat is operated independently from the memory 130.

The image signal processor 260 may perform one or more image processingwith respect to an image obtained via the image sensor 230 or an imagestored in the memory 250. The one or more image processing may include,for example, depth map generation, three-dimensional (3D) modeling,panorama generation, feature point extraction, image synthesizing, orimage compensation (e.g., noise reduction, resolution adjustment,brightness adjustment, blurring, sharpening, or softening). Additionallyor alternatively, the image signal processor 260 may perform control(e.g., exposure time control or read-out timing control) with respect toat least one (e.g., the image sensor 230) of the components included inthe camera module 180. An image processed by the image signal processor260 may be stored back in the memory 250 for further processing, or maybe provided to an external component (e.g., the memory 130, the displaymodule 160, the electronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or theserver 108) outside the camera module 180. According to an embodiment,the image signal processor 260 may be configured as at least part of theprocessor 120, or as a separate processor that is operated independentlyfrom the processor 120. If the image signal processor 260 is configuredas a separate processor from the processor 120, at least one imageprocessed by the image signal processor 260 may be displayed, by theprocessor 120, via the display module 160 as it is or after beingfurther processed.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may include aplurality of camera modules 180 having different attributes orfunctions. For example, a plurality of camera modules 180 includinglenses (e.g., the lens assembly 210) having different viewing angles maybe provided, and a change in viewing angle of the camera module 180,which is performed in the electronic device 101, may be controlled basedon user's selection. In such a case, at least one of the plurality ofcamera modules 180 may form, for example, a wide-angle camera and atleast another of the plurality of camera modules 180 may form atelephoto camera. Similarly, at least one of the plurality of cameramodules 180 may form, for example, a front camera and at least anotherof the plurality of camera modules 180 may form a rear camera. Inaddition, the plurality of camera modules 180 may include at least oneof a wide-angle camera, a telephoto camera, or an IR camera (e.g., atime of flight (TOF) camera), or a structured light camera. According toan embodiment, the IR camera may operate as at least a portion of thesensor module (e.g., the sensor module 176 of FIG. 1). For example, theTOF camera (e.g., the TOF camera 316 of FIG. 3B) may operate as at leasta portion of the sensor module (e.g., the sensor module 176 of FIG. 1)for sensing a distance from a component.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front perspective view of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 3B illustrates a rear perspective viewof an electronic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3C illustratesan exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an electronic device 300 includes ahousing 310 having a first surface (or front surface) 310A, a secondsurface (or rear surface) 310B, and a side surface 310C surrounding aspace defined between the first surface 310A and the second surface310B.

Alternatively, the housing 310 may refer to a structure defining some ofthe first surface 310A, the second surface 310B, and the side surfaces310C of FIG. 1.

At least a portion of the first surface 310A may be defined by asubstantially transparent front plate 302 (e.g., a glass plate includingvarious coating layers, or a polymer plate). The second surface 310B maybe defined by a substantially opaque rear plate 311. The back plate 311may be defined by applied or colored glass, ceramic, a polymer, metal(e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combinationof at least two of the above materials. The side surface 310C may becoupled to the front plate 302 and the rear plate 311 and may be definedby a side bezel structure (or “frame structure”) 318 including metaland/or a polymer.

The back plate 311 and the side bezel structure 318 may be integratedwith each other and include the same material (e.g., a metal materialsuch as aluminum).

The front plate 302 includes two first areas 310D, which are curvedtoward the rear plate 311 from the first surface 310A and extendseamlessly, on both ends of each of long edges of the front plate 302.

The rear plate 311 includes two second areas 310E, which are curvedtoward the front plate 302 from the second surface 310B and extendseamlessly, on both ends of each of long edges of the rear plate 311.

Alternatively, the front plate 302 (or the rear plate 311) may includeonly one of the first areas 310D (or the second areas 310E), or thefront plate 302 (or the rear plate 311) may not include a portion of thefirst areas 310D (or the second areas 310E).

When viewed from a side of the electronic device 300, the side bezelstructure 318 may have a first thickness (or a width) at a side (e.g., ashort side) that belongs to the first areas 310D or the second areas310E as described above and a second thickness less than the firstthickness at a side (e.g., a long side) that is included in the firstareas 310D or the second areas 310E.

The electronic device 300 includes a display 301, audio modules 303,307, and 314, sensor modules 304, 316, and 319, camera modules 305 and312, a key input device 317, a light emitting element 306, and connectorholes 308 and 309. Alternatively, at least one of the components (e.g.,the key input device 317 or the light emitting element 306) may beomitted from the electronic device 300, or other components may beadded.

The display 301 may be exposed through a corresponding portion of thefront plate 302. At least a portion of the display 301 may be exposedthrough the front plate 302 including the first surface 310A and thefirst areas 310D of the side surface 310C.

An edge of the display 301 may have substantially the same shape as anadjacent outer shape of the front plate 302. Alternatively, in order toexpand the area to which the display 301 is exposed, a distance betweenan outer portion of the display 301 and an outer portion of the frontplate 302 may be substantially uniform.

A surface of the housing 310 (or the front plate 302) may include ascreen display area defined as the display 301 is visually exposed. Forexample, the screen display area includes the first surface 310A and thefirst areas 310D of the side surface.

The screen display areas 310A and 310D include a sensing area 310Fconfigured to acquire biometric information of a user. Here, “the screendisplay areas 310A and 310D include the sensing area 310F” indicate thatat least a portion of the sensing area 310A overlaps the screen displayareas 310A and 310D. For example, the sensing area 310F may be capableof displaying visual information through the display 301, like otherareas of the screen display areas 310A and 310D, but is capable ofadditionally acquiring the user's biometric information (e.g., afingerprint).

The screen display areas 310A and 310D of the display 301 include anarea 310G to which the first camera module 305 (e.g., a punch holecamera) is visually exposed. For example, at least a portion of an edgeof the area 310G to which the first camera module 305 is exposed may besurrounded by the screen display areas 310A and 310D. The first cameramodule 305 may include a plurality of camera modules.

A recess or opening may be defined in a portion of the screen displayareas 310A and 310D of the display 301, and at least one or more of theaudio module 314, the first sensor module 304, and the light emittingelement 306, which are aligned with the recess or opening, may bedisposed on the portion of the screen display areas 310A and 310D.

At least one or more of the audio module 314, the sensor modules 304,316, and 319, and the light emitting element 306 may be disposed on rearsurfaces of the screen display areas 310A and 310D of the display 301.

The display 301 may be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a touchsensing circuit, a pressure sensor that is capable of measuring anintensity (pressure) of touch, and/or a digitizer that detects amagnetic field-type stylus pen.

At least a portion of the sensor modules 304, 316, and 319 and/or atleast a portion of the key input device 317 may be disposed on the sidesurface 310C (e.g., the first areas 310D and/or the second areas 310E).

The audio modules 303, 307, and 314 may include a microphone hole 303and speaker holes 307 and 314. A microphone for acquiring external soundmay be disposed inside the microphone hole 303, and a plurality ofmicrophones may be disposed inside the microphone hole 303 in order tosense a direction of the sound. The speaker holes 307 and 314 mayinclude an external speaker hole 307 and a call receiver hole 314. Thespeaker holes 307 and 314 and the microphone hole 303 may be implementedas a single hole, or a speaker may be provided without the speaker holes307 and 314 (e.g., a piezo speaker).

The sensor modules 304, 316, and 319 may generate electrical signals ordata values corresponding to an internal operating state of theelectronic device 300 or an external environmental state. The sensormodules 304, 316, and 319 may include a first sensor module 304 (e.g., aproximity sensor) disposed on the first surface 310A of the housing 310,a second sensor module 316 (e.g., the TOF camera module) disposed on thesecond surface 310B of the housing 310, a third sensor module 319 (e.g.,a heart rate monitor (HRM) sensor) disposed on the second surface 310Bof the housing 310, and/or a fourth sensor module 390 (e.g., afingerprint sensor) coupled to the display 301.

The second sensor module 316 may include the TOF camera module formeasuring a distance.

At least a portion of the fourth sensor module 390 may be disposed underthe screen display areas 310A and 310D. The fourth sensor module may bedisposed in a recess 339 defined in the rear surface of the display 301.For example, the fourth sensor module 390 is not exposed to the screendisplay areas 310A and 310D, and a sensing area 310F may be defined onat least a portion of the screen display areas 310A and 310D. Thefingerprint sensor may be disposed on the second surface 310B as well asthe first surface 310A (e.g., the screen display areas 310A and 310D) ofthe housing 310.

The electronic device 300 may further include sensor modules, forexample, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressuresensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, acolor sensor, an IR sensor, a biosensor, a temperature sensor, ahumidity sensor, and an illuminance sensor.

The camera modules 305 and 312 may include a first camera module 305(e.g., the punch hole camera module) exposed to the first surface 310Aof the electronic device 300 and a second camera module 312 and/or aflash 313 exposed to the second surface 310B.

The first camera module 305 may be exposed through a portion of thescreen display area 310D of the first surface 310A. The first cameramodule 305 may be exposed to a partial area of the screen display area310D through an opening defined in a portion of the display 301.

The second camera module 312 may include a plurality of camera modules(e.g., a dual camera or a triple camera). However, the second cameramodule 312 is not necessarily limited as including the plurality ofcamera modules and thus may include one camera module.

The camera modules 305 and 312 may include one or more lenses, an imagesensor, and/or an image signal processor. The flash 313 may include anLED or a xenon lamp. Two or more lenses (the IR camera, the wide-anglelens, and the telephoto lens) and image sensors may be disposed on onesurface of the electronic device 300.

The key input device 317 may be disposed on the side surface 310C of thehousing 310. Alternatively, the electronic device 300 may not includesome or all of the above-described key input devices 317, and the keyinput device 317 that is not included may be implemented in a differentform on the display 301, like a soft key. The key input device mayinclude a sensor module (e.g., the fourth sensor module 390) thatdefines the sensing area 310F included in the screen display areas 310Aand 310D.

The light emitting element 306 may be disposed on the first surface 310Aof the housing 310. The light emitting element 306 may provide stateinformation of the electronic device 300 in the form of light. The lightemitting element 306 may provide a light source that is interlocked withan operation of the first camera module 305. The light emitting element306 may include an LED, an IR LED, and/or a xenon lamp.

The connector holes 308 and 309 may include a first connector hole 308that is capable of accommodating a connector (e.g., a USB connector) fortransmitting and receiving power and/or data to and from an externalelectronic device and/or a second connector hole 309 (e.g., an earphonejack) that is capable of accommodating a connector for transmitting andreceiving audio signal to and from the external electronic device.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the electronic device 300 includes a front plate320, a display 330, a bracket 340, a first support member 342, a PCB350, a battery 352, a rear case 360, an antenna 370, and a rear plate380.

Alternatively, at least of the components one (e.g., the first supportmember 342 or the rear case 360) may be omitted, or other components maybe added. At least one of the components of the electronic device 300may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of theelectronic device 300 of FIG. 3A or 3B, and thus, repetitivedescriptions thereof will be omitted below.

The first support member 342 may be disposed inside the electronicdevice 300 in order to be connected to the bracket 340 or may beintegrated with the bracket 340. The first support member 342 may bemade of a metal material and/or a non-metal (e.g., polymer) material.The first support member 342 may have one surface to which the display330 is coupled and the other surface to which the printed circuit board350 is coupled. A processor, a memory, and/or an interface may bemounted on the printed circuit board 350. The processor may include oneor more of a CPU, an AP, a GPU, an ISP, a sensor hub processor, or a CP.

The memory may include a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory.

The interface may include an HDMI, a USB interface, an SD cardinterface, and/or an audio interface. The interface may electrically orphysically connect the electronic device 300 to the external electronicdevice and may include a USB connector, an SD card/multimedia card (MMC)connector, or an audio connector.

The battery 352 may supplying power to at least one component of theelectronic device and may include a non-rechargeable primary cell, arechargeable secondary cell, or a fuel cell. At least a portion of thebattery 352 may be disposed on substantially the same plane as theprinted circuit board 350. The battery 352 may be integrally disposedinside the electronic device 300 or may be disposed to be detachablefrom the electronic device 300.

The antenna 370 may be disposed between the rear plate 380 and thebattery 352. The antenna 370 may include a near field communication(NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic securetransmission (MST) antenna. The antenna 370 may perform short-rangecommunication with the external device or may wirelesslytransmit/receive power for charging. An antenna structure may also beprovided by a portion of the bracket 340 and/or the first support member342 or a combination thereof.

The camera module 305 may be disposed inside the housing 310 so that thelens is exposed to the camera area 310G of the front surface 310A of theelectronic device 300. The camera area 310G may be defined on the firstplate 320. The camera module 305 may include a hole defined in the rearsurface of the display 330 or a punch hole camera disposed inside arecess 337.

The camera module 312 may be disposed inside the housing 310 so that thelens is exposed to a camera area 310H of the rear surface 310B of theelectronic device 300. The camera module 312 may be disposed on theprinted circuit board 350.

FIG. 4 illustrates a camera module according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, a camera module 400 includes a first camera housing410, a camera assembly 420 of which at least a portion is surrounded bythe first camera housing 410, and a guide plate 450 connected to each ofthe first camera housing 410 and the camera assembly 420.

A first rotation axis R1 and a second rotation axis R2, which aresubstantially perpendicular to an optical axis L of a lens 431, aredefined. The first rotation axis R and the second rotation axis R2 maybe substantially perpendicular to each other.

At least a portion of the camera assembly 420 may be disposed inside thefirst camera housing 410. The first camera housing 410 includes a firstcover 417 that is substantially directed in the Z-axis direction. Anopening region 4121 may be defined in the first cover 417. At least aportion of the camera assembly 420 may be disposed in the opening region4121 of the first cover 417.

The guide plate 450 includes a central portion 455 including an openingregion 459, a first portion 451 and a second portion 452, which extendfrom the central portion 455 in the direction of the first rotation axisR1, and a third portion 453 and a fourth portion 454, which extend fromthe central portion 45 in the direction of the second rotation axis R2.The first portion 451 and the second portion 452 may be connected to thecamera assembly 420, and the third portion 453 and the fourth portion454 may be connected to the first camera housing 410.

The camera assembly 420 may be configured to be rotatable about each ofthe first rotation axis R1 and/or the second rotation axis R2. Forexample, the camera assembly 420 may rotate relative to the first camerahousing 410. Accordingly, the camera module 400 may perform an imagestabilization function. The camera module 400 may perform a shakecompensation function (e.g., an image stabilization function) byrotating the camera assembly 420 with respect to a first rotation axisR1 and/or a second rotation axis R2. The first rotation axis R1 may besubstantially perpendicular to the optical axis L of the lens 431 andmay extend to cross the optical axis L of the lens 431 at any one point.The second rotation axis R2 may be substantially perpendicular to theoptical axis L of the lens 431 and may extend to cross the optical axisL of the lens 431 at any one point. The first rotation axis R1 and thesecond rotation axis R2 may meet each other at a point through which theoptical axis L of the lens 431 passes. The one point may be defined as arotation center point of the camera assembly 420.

The camera assembly 420 may rotate about each of the first rotation axisR1 and/or the second rotation axis R2 so that the optical axis L of thelens 431 has a predetermined range (e.g., a moving range) with respectto a Z-axis.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a camera moduleaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the camera module 400 includes a first camerahousing 410, a camera assembly 420, and a guide plate 450.

The camera module 400 includes frame structures 411, 412, 413, and 414of the first camera housing 410, a third support structure 473 and afourth support structure 474, which are connected to the guide plate450, and coils 491 and 492. In an embodiment, the frame structures 411,412, 413, and 414 may define a space in which the camera assembly 420 isdisposed.

The frame structures 411, 412, 413, and 414 include a first framestructure 411 and a second frame structure 412, which face each other,and a third frame structure 413 and a fourth frame structure, which faceeach other. The first frame structure 411 and the second frame structure412 may be connected by the third frame structure 413 and the fourthframe structure 414, respectively. Each of the first frame structure 411and the second frame structure 412 may extend in an X-axis direction.Each of the third frame structure 413 and the fourth frame structure 414may extend in a Y-axis direction. The first frame structure 411 may bedisposed in a −Y-axis direction from the second frame structure 412. Thethird frame structure 413 may be disposed in a +X-axis direction fromthe fourth frame structure 414.

A first coil 491 and a first sensor 493 are disposed on the first framestructure 411. A first opening region 4111 in which the first coil 491is disposed may be defined in the first frame structure 411. The firstcoil 491 may be disposed to substantially face a first magnetic body 481included in the camera assembly 420. The first sensor 493 may bedisposed adjacent to the first magnetic body 481 to sense a position ofthe first magnetic body 481. The first sensor 493 may sense a rotationangle of the camera assembly 420. The first sensor 493 may be disposedin the first opening region 4111. The first sensor 493 may include ahall sensor.

A second coil 492 and a second sensor 494 are disposed on the thirdframe structure 413. For example, a second opening region 4131 in whichthe second coil 492 is disposed is defined in the third frame structure413. The second coil 492 may be disposed to substantially face a secondmagnetic body 482 included in the camera assembly 420. The second sensor494 may be disposed adjacent to the second magnetic body 482 to sense aposition of the second magnetic body 482. The second sensor 494 maysense a rotation angle of the camera assembly 420. The second sensor 494may be disposed in the second opening region 4131. The second sensor 494may include a hall sensor.

The first sensor 493 and/or the second sensor 494 may sense a rotationangle (e.g., a moving range) at which the camera assembly 420 moves withrespect to the rotation axes R1 and R2. The electronic device mayperform a shake compensation function (e.g., image stabilizationfunction) of the camera module 400 based on the rotation angle that isidentified using the first sensor 493 and/or the second sensor 494.

The third support structure 473 may be disposed at a third cornerportion 415 defined by the first frame structure 411 and the fourthframe structure 414. The fourth support structure 474 may be disposed ata fourth corner portion 416 defined by the second frame structure 412and the third frame structure 413. The third corner portion 415 may bedisposed at a portion at which the first frame structure 411 and thefourth frame structure 414 are connected to each other. The fourthcorner portion 416 may be disposed at a portion at which the secondframe structure 412 and the third frame structure 413 are connected toeach other. The third corner portion 415 and the fourth corner portion416 may substantially face each other in a direction of the secondrotation axis R2.

The positions of the third support structure 473 and/or the fourthsupport structure 474 are not limited to the illustrated embodiment, andaccording to various embodiments, the positions of the third supportstructure 473 and/or the fourth support structure 474 may be changedwith each other. The third support structure 473 and the fourth supportstructure 474 are illustrated to substantially face each other in thedirection of the second rotation axis R2, but as another example, thethird support structure 473 and the fourth support structure 474 may bedisposed to face each other in the direction of the first rotation axisR1. The third support structure 473 may be disposed at a corner portiondefined by the first frame structure 411 and the third frame structure413, and the fourth support structure 474 may be disposed at a cornerportion defined by the second frame structure 412 and the fourth framestructure 414.

A third portion 453 of the guide plate 450 may be coupled to the thirdsupport structure 473 so that the guide plate 450 is rotatable about thesecond rotation axis R2. The third support structure 473 may be coupledto the guide plate 450 in a direction of the second rotation axis R2,which is substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis R1 sothat the guide plate 450 is fixed when the camera assembly 420 rotatesabout the first rotation axis R1.

A fourth portion 454 of the guide plate 450 may be coupled to the fourthsupport structure 474 so that the guide plate 450 is rotatable about thesecond rotation axis R2. The fourth support structure 474 may be coupledto the guide plate 450 in the direction of the second rotation axis R2,which is substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis R1 sothat the guide plate 450 is fixed when the camera assembly 420 rotatesabout the first rotation axis R1.

The camera module 400 includes a connection member 495 surrounding atleast a portion of the first camera housing 410. The connection member495 includes a first area 496 on which the first coil 491 is disposedand a second area 497 on which the second coil 492 is disposed.

The connection member 495 may be coupled to the first camera housing 410so that the first area is disposed on the first frame structure 41, andthe second area 497 is disposed on the second frame structure 412. Thefirst area 496 may be disposed on the first frame structure 411 so thatthe first coil 491 is aligned with the first opening region 4111. Forexample, the second area 497 may be disposed on the second framestructure 412 so that the second coil 492 is aligned with the secondopening region 4131. The first sensor 493 may be disposed on the firstarea 496, and the second sensor 494 may be disposed on the second area497. The connection member 495 may include a PCB or a flexible PCB(FPCB).

The camera assembly 420 includes a second camera housing 429 in which alens 431, a lens barrel 432, and an image sensor are disposed, a holder440 surrounding the second camera housing 429, and a first supportstructure 471 and a second support structure 472, which are connected tothe guide plate 450.

The lens 431 protruding in the optical axis direction (e.g., the Z-axisdirection) and the lens barrel 432 surrounding the lens 431 may bedisposed in the second camera housing 429. The image sensor disposed inthe optical axis direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) from the lens431 may be disposed inside the second camera housing 429. The imagesensor may be configured to convert light incident from the lens 431into an electrical signal.

The holder 440 includes a first sidewall 441 and a second sidewall 442,which face each other, and a third sidewall 443 and a fourth sidewall444, which face each other. The first sidewall 441 and the secondsidewall 442 may be connected by the third sidewall 443 and the fourthsidewall 444, respectively. Each of the first sidewall 441 and thesecond sidewall 442 may extend in the X-axis direction, and each of thethird sidewall 443 and the fourth sidewall 444 may extend in the Y-axisdirection. The first sidewall 441 may be disposed in the −Y-axisdirection from the second sidewall 442, and the third sidewall 443 maybe disposed in the +X-axis direction from the fourth sidewall 444.

The holder 440 may face the frame structures 411, 412, 413, and 414 ofthe first camera housing 410. The first sidewall 441 may face the firstframe structure 411 of the first camera housing 410. The second sidewall442 may face the second frame structure 412 of the first camera housing410. The third sidewall 443 may face the third frame structure 413 ofthe first camera housing 410. The fourth sidewall 444 may face thefourth frame structure 414 of the first camera housing 410.

The camera assembly 420 includes a first magnetic body 481, a secondmagnetic body 482, and a yoke member 483. The first magnetic body 481may be disposed on the first sidewall 441 to substantially face thefirst coil 491. The first magnetic body 481 may be disposed adjacent tothe first sensor 493. The second magnetic body 482 may be disposed onthe third sidewall 443 to substantially face the second coil 492. Thesecond magnetic body 482 may be disposed adjacent to the second sensor494.

The yoke member 483 may be disposed between the first sidewall 441 andthe first magnetic body 481 and between the second sidewall 442 and thesecond magnetic body 482. The yoke member 483 may be made of a magneticbody and be disposed between the second camera housing 429 and themagnetic bodies 481 and 482 so that magnetic fields generated from thefirst magnetic body 481 and the second magnetic body 482 do not passthrough the camera assembly 420.

The first support structure 471 may be disposed at the first cornerportion 445 defined by the first sidewall 441 and the third sidewall443. The second support structure 472 may be disposed at the secondcorner portion 446 defined by the second sidewall 442 and the fourthsidewall 444. The first corner portion 445 may be disposed at a portionat which the first sidewall 441 and the third sidewall 443 are connectedto each other, and the second corner portion 446 may be disposed at aportion at which the second sidewall 442 and the fourth sidewall 444 areconnected to each other. The first corner portion 445 and the secondcorner portion 446 may substantially face each other in the direction ofthe first rotation axis R1.

The positions of the first support structure 471 and/or the secondsupport structure 472 are not limited to the illustrated embodiment, andthe positions of the first support structure 471 and/or the secondsupport structure 472 may be changed with each other according tovarious embodiments. For example, the first support structure 471 andthe second support structure 472 are illustrated to substantially faceeach other in the direction of the first rotation axis R1, but the firstsupport structure 471 and the second support structure 472 may bedisposed to face each other in the direction of the second rotation axisR2. The first support structure 471 may be disposed at a corner portiondefined by the first sidewall 441 and the fourth sidewall 444, and thesecond support structure 472 may be disposed at a corner portion definedby the second sidewall 442 and the third sidewall 443.

The first portion 451 of the guide plate 450 may be connected to thefirst support structure 471. The first support structure 471 may becoupled to the guide plate 450 in the direction of the first rotationaxis R1 so that the camera assembly 420 and the guide plate 450 rotatetogether when the camera assembly 420 rotates about the second rotationaxis R2.

The second portion 452 of the guide plate 450 may be connected to thesecond support structure 472. The second support structure 472 may becoupled to the guide plate 450 in the direction of the first rotationaxis R1 so that the camera assembly 420 and the guide plate 450 rotatetogether when the camera assembly 420 rotate about the second rotationaxis R2.

The first coil 491 and the second coil 492 are not necessarily limitedas being disposed on one connecting member 495. For example, the firstcoil 491 and the second coil 492 may be disposed on separate connectingmembers 495, respectively.

Further, the first coil 491 and the second coil 492 are not limited tothe positions illustrated in the drawings, and the first coil 491 may bedisposed, for example, on any one of the frame structures (e.g., thefirst frame structure 411 and the second frame structure 412) extendingin the X-axis direction, and the second coil 492 may be disposed on anyone of the frame structures (e.g., the third frame structure 413 and thefourth frame structure 414) extending in the Y-axis direction.

The first coil 491 and the second coil 492 may be disposed on the cameraassembly 420, and the first magnetic body 481 and the second magneticbody 482 may be disposed in the first camera housing 410 in order tosubstantially face the first coil 491 and the second coil 492,respectively.

The guide plate 450 includes a central portion 455 including an openingregion 459, a first portion 451 and a second portion 452, which extendfrom the central portion 455 in the direction of the first rotation axisR1, and a third portion 453 and a fourth portion 454, which extend inthe direction of the second rotation axis R2.

The guide plate 450 may be provided as a substantially rectangular platein which the opening region 459 is defined in the central portion 455and may include a first portion 451 and a second portion 452, whichextend from a vertex portion of the rectangular plate in the directionof the first rotation axis R1, and a third portion 453 and a fourthportion 454, which extend in the direction of the second rotation axisR2.

In the guide plate 450, the first portion 451 may be coupled to thefirst support structure 471 of the camera assembly 420, and the secondportion 452 may be coupled to the second support structure 472 of thecamera assembly 420. In the guide plate 450, the third portion 453 maybe coupled to the third support structure 473 of the first camerahousing 410, and the fourth portion 454 may be coupled to the fourthsupport structure 474 of the first camera housing 410.

When the camera assembly 420 rotates about the first rotation axis R1,the guide plate 450 may be fixed to the first camera housing 410 by thethird support structure 473 and the fourth support structure 474. Adistance between each of the third portion 453 and the fourth portion454 of the guide plate 450 and the camera assembly 420 may be changed.For example, the third portion 453 of the guide plate 450 may be closerto the camera assembly 420, and the fourth portion 454 of the guideplate 450 may be away from the camera assembly 420. The guide plate 450may rotate about the second rotation axis R2 together with the cameraassembly 420.

The structure of the guide plate 450 may change based on the cameraassembly 420 and/or the first camera housing 410 connected to the guideplate 450. For example, if the first portion 451 and the second portion452 are connected to the first camera housing 410, and the third portion453 and the fourth portion 454 are connected to the camera assembly 420,a structure that is different from the structure of the guide plate 450illustrated in FIG. 5 may be provided.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrates a guide plate of a camera moduleaccording to an embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 6A illustrates aguide plate 450, FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view based on thesecond rotation axis R2, and FIG. 6C illustrates a cross-sectional viewbased on the first rotation axis R1.

Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the central portion 455 of the guide plate450 includes a first central portion 455-1 connected to each of thefirst portion 451 and the second portion 452 and a second centralportion 455-2 connected to each of the third portion 453 and the fourthportion 454. Referring to FIG. 6C, the first central portion 455-1include a plane substantially facing an optical axis direction L.Referring to FIG. 6B, the second central portion 455-2 includes a planethat is inclined upward in a substantially positive direction of theoptical axis L of the lens 431 from a peripheral portion 4591 of theopening region 4591 toward the direction of the second rotation axis R2.

Referring to FIG. 6C, the first portion 451 and the second portion 452include a first coupling portion 461 and a first extension portion 463extending from the first central portion 455-1 to the first couplingportion 461. The first extension portion 463 extend to be inclineddownward in a negative direction −L of the optical axis from the firstcentral portion 455-1 toward the direction of the first rotation axisR1. The first coupling portion 461 includes a plane substantially facingthe first rotation axis R1.

An accommodation portion 457 into which a protruding portion disposed oneach of the first support structure and the second support structure isaccommodated may be defined in the first coupling portion 461. Theaccommodation portion 467 may have a shape that substantiallycorresponds to a shape of a portion of a sphere.

The third portion 453 and the fourth portion 454 may include a secondcoupling portion 462, a second extension portion 464 extending from thesecond central portion 455-2, and a third extension portion 465extending from the second extension portion 464 to the second couplingportion 462. The second extension portion 464 may extend to be inclineddownward from the second central portion 455-2 toward the negativedirection −L of the optical axis. The third extension portion 465 mayinclude a plane substantially facing the optical axis direction L of thelens 431. The second coupling portion 462 may include a planesubstantially facing the second rotation axis R2.

An accommodation portion 467 into which a protruding portion disposed oneach of the third support structure and the fourth support structure isaccommodated may be defined in the second coupling portion 462. Theaccommodation portion 467 may have a shape that substantiallycorresponds to a shape of a portion of a sphere.

The accommodation portion 467 may be disposed in an outer surface ofeach of the first coupling portion 461 and the second coupling portion462. An inner surfaces of each of the coupling portions 461 and 462 maybe a surface substantially facing the optical axis L of the lens 431,and an outer surface may be a surface facing the inner surface.

The accommodation portion 467 defined in each of the first portion 451,the second portion 452, the third portion 453, and the fourth portion454 may have the same or similar height if viewed in the optical axisdirection L of the lens 431. Thus, the first rotation axis R1 may bedefined as a virtual line connecting the accommodation portion 467 ofthe first portion 451 to the accommodation portion 467 of the secondportion 452, which substantially face each other. The second rotationaxis R2 may be defined as a virtual line connecting the accommodationportion 467 of the third portion 453 to the accommodation portion 467 ofthe fourth portion 454, which substantially face each other. Thus, thefirst rotation axis R1 and the second rotation axis R2 may cross eachother at a rotation center point, and the rotation center point may bedisposed on the optical axis of the lens 431.

FIG. 7 illustrates a camera module according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the camera assembly 420 is viewed in theoptical axis direction of the lens 431, the guide plate 450 may becoupled to the camera assembly 420 and the first camera housing 410 sothat at least portion of the central portion overlaps the cameraassembly 420, and the lens is exposed through an opening region. Thefirst portion 451 and the second portion 452 of the guide plate 450 maybe coupled to the first support structure 471 and the second supportstructure 472, which are disposed on the holder of the camera assembly420, respectively. The third portion 453 and the fourth portion 454 ofthe guide plate 450 may be coupled to the third support structure 473and the fourth support structure 474, which are disposed in the firstcamera housing 410, respectively.

Each of the first support structure 471 and the second support structure472 may include a protruding portion 475 that substantially protrudestoward the camera assembly 420. The protruding portion 475 may protrudetoward a cross point of the first rotation axis R1 and the secondrotation axis R2. The protruding portion 475 may have a shapecorresponding to the accommodation portion 467 defined in each of thefirst portion 451 and the second portion 452 of the guide plate 450.

Each of the third support structure 473 and the fourth support structure474 may include a protruding portion 475 that substantially protrudestoward the camera assembly 420. The protruding portion 475 may protrudetoward a cross point of the first rotation axis R1 and the secondrotation axis R2. The protruding portion 475 may have a shapecorresponding to the accommodation portion 467 defined in each of thethird portion 453 and the fourth portion 454 of the guide plate 450.

The protruding portion disposed on each of the first support structure471 and the second support structure 472 of the camera assembly 420 maybe coupled to the accommodation portion 467 defined in each of the firstportion 451 and the second portion 452 of the guide plate 450 to definethe first rotation axis R1. The protruding portion 475 disposed on eachof the third support structure 473 and the fourth support structure 474of the first camera housing 410 may be coupled to the accommodationportion 467 defined in each of the third portion 453 and the fourthportion 454 of the guide plate to define the second rotation axis R2.

The protruding portions 475 respectively disposed on the first supportstructure 471, the second support structure 472, the third supportstructure 473, and the fourth support structure 474 may have the same orsimilar height. The height may be a distance measured in the directionof the optical axis L of the lens 431. Thus, a rotation center point atwhich the first rotation axis R1 and the second rotation axis R2 crosseach other may be defined at the camera module 400. The rotation centerpoint may be disposed at the optical axis L of the lens 431.

The first support structure 471 and the second support structure 472 maybe spaced a first distance L1 from each other in the direction of thefirst rotation axis R. The third support structure 473 and the fourthsupport structure 474 may be spaced a second distance L2 from each otherin the direction of the second rotation axis R2. The first distance L1may be less than the second distance L2.

The positions of the accommodation portion 467 and the protrudingportion 475 are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 7, and thepositions of the accommodation portion 467 and the protruding portion475 may be changed accordingly. For example, the accommodation portion467 may be defined in each of the first support structure 471, thesecond support structure 472, the third support structure 473, and thefourth support structure 474, and the protruding portion 475 may bedisposed on each of the first portion 451, the second portion 452, thethird portion 453, and the fourth portion 454 of the guide plate 450.The protruding portion 475 may protrude in a direction away from theoptical axis L of the lens 431. The protruding portion 475 included inthe first portion 451 and the second portion 452 may protrude in adirection that is away from the lens 431 as the direction of the firstrotation axis. The protruding portion 475 included in the third portion453 and the fourth portion 454 may protrude in a direction that is awayfrom the lens 431 as the direction of the second rotation axis. Inaddition, the accommodation portion 467 may be disposed on each of thefirst portion 451 of the guide plate 450, the second portion 452 of theguide plate 450, the third support structure 473, and the fourth supportstructure 474, and thus, the protruding portions may be coupled to thefirst support structure 471, the second support structure 472, the thirdportion 453 of the guide plate 450, and the fourth portion 454 of theguide plate 450, respectively. Other various arrangements are alsopossible.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second rotation driving of a camera moduleaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 9 illustrates a first rotation drivingof a camera module according to an embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the camera module 400 may perform firstrotation driving that rotates about the first rotation axis R1 andsecond rotation driving that rotates about the second rotation axis R2.The camera module 400 may simultaneously or sequentially perform thefirst rotation driving and the second rotation driving. The cameramodule 400 simultaneously performing the first rotation driving and thesecond rotation driving may be understood as the camera assembly 420rotating about a rotation center point.

Referring to FIG. 8, the camera module 400 includes a first camerahousing 410 including the third support structure 473 and the fourthsupport structure 474, a camera assembly 420 including the lens 431, theimage sensor 439, the first support structure 471, and the secondsupport structure 472, and a guide plate 450 coupled to the firstsupport structure 471, the second support structure 472, the thirdsupport structure 473, and the fourth support structure 474. The guideplate 450 includes a first portion 451, a second portion 452, a thirdportion 453, and a fourth portion 454, which are coupled to the supportstructures 471, 472, 473, and 474, respectively. A protruding portion475 may be disposed on each of the support structures 471, 472, 473, and474, and an accommodation portion 467 into which the protruding portion475 is accommodated may be defined in each of the portions 451, 452,453, and 454 of the guide plate 450.

The camera assembly 420 may rotate about the second rotation axis R2. Inthe second rotation driving, the camera assembly 420 may rotate togetherwith the guide plate 450. At least a portion of the first portion 451 ofthe guide plate 450 may protrude toward a top surface 421 of the firstcamera housing 410. In addition, at least a portion of the secondportion 452 of the guide plate 450 may protrude toward the top surface421 of the first camera housing 410.

In the second rotation drive, the first rotation axis R1 may extendsubstantially perpendicular to the optical axis L of the lens 431. Forexample, in the basic state, the second rotation axis R2 may besubstantially perpendicular (e.g., 90 degrees) to the optical axis L ofthe lens 431, and the first rotation axis R1 and the optical axis L ofthe lens 431 may be maintained at 90 degrees.

When the second rotation driving is performed, the optical axis L of thelens 431 may be spaced a predetermined angle θ from the Z-axisdirection. The Z-axis may be the optical axis L of the lens 431 in astate in which the camera assembly 420 does not rotate. The angle θ maybe greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than 10 degrees.

When the camera assembly 420 rotates about the second rotation axis R2,a distance d between the guide plate 450 and the camera assembly 420 maybe substantially uniform.

Referring to FIG. 9, the camera assembly 420 may rotate about the firstrotation axis R1. In the first rotation driving, the camera assembly 420may rotate relative to the guide plate 450. The guide plate 450 may befixed to the first camera housing 410, and only the camera assembly 420may rotate about the first rotation axis R1. The guide plate 450 may bemaintained in substantially the same state regardless of the rotation ofthe camera assembly 420.

In the first rotation driving, the second rotation axis R2 may have apredetermined angle with respect to the optical axis L of the lens 431except for 90 degrees. For example, the first rotation axis R1 and theoptical axis L of the lens 431 may be substantially perpendicular (e.g.,90 degrees) to each other, and as the first rotation driving isperformed, the second rotation axis R2 and the optical axis L of thelens 431 may be angled at an angle (e.g., 90-0) other than 90 degrees.The optical axis L of the lens 431 may be spaced a predetermined angle θfrom the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis may be the optical axis L of thelens 431 in a state in which the camera assembly 420 does not rotate.The angle θ may be greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than 10degrees.

When the camera assembly 420 rotates about the first rotation axis R,distances d1, d2, and d3 between the guide plate 450 and the cameraassembly 420 may vary. For example, while the camera assembly 420 doesnot rotate, the guide plate 450 and the camera assembly 420 may have thefirst distance d1 therebetween. While the camera assembly 420 rotates,the guide plate 450 and the camera assembly 420 may have the seconddistance d2 and the third distance d3 different from the first distanced1 therebetween. The third portion 453 of the guide plate 450 is spacedthe second distance d2 from the camera assembly 420, and the fourthportion 454 of the guide plate 450 may be spaced the third distance d3greater than the second distance d2 from the camera assembly 420. Forexample, in the guide plate 450, a left side portion based on theoptical axis L of the lens 431 may have the second distance d2, and aright side portion may have the third distance d3 greater than thesecond distance d2. The second distance d2 may be less than the firstdistance d1, and the third distance d3 may be larger than the firstdistance d1.

The camera assembly 420 may rotate together with the lens 431 and theimage sensor 439. That is, if the camera assembly 420 rotates, relativepositions of the lens 431 and the image sensor 439 may be maintained.Therefore, if the image stabilization function is performed, a focus ofan image may be maintained.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a camera assembly ofa camera module according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, the camera assembly 420 includes a lens carrier430, a second camera housing 429, a third magnetic body 433, a thirdcoil 495, a third sensor 496, and a plurality of balls 434.

The second camera housing 429 may define an inner space in which thelens carrier 430 is accommodated. The second camera housing 429 includesan upper housing 429-1 and a lower housing 429-2. The upper housing429-1 has an opening. An image sensor 439 may be disposed in the lowerhousing 429-2. The opening may be aligned with an opening region of theguide plate. The opening may be aligned with the lens 431. The lensbarrel 432 may protrude to the outside of the second camera housing 429through the opening.

The lens carrier 430 includes the lens barrel 432. The lens barrel 432includes one or more lenses 431 therein. The lens barrel 432 may bedisposed to surround the lens 431. The lens carrier 430 may move (e.g.,a L/−L direction) based on the optical axis L of the lens 431 in a spacebetween the upper housing 429-1 and the lower housing 429-2. The cameramodule 400 may provide an auto focusing function by allowing the lens431 together with the lens carrier 430 to move (e.g., the L/−Ldirection) based on the direction of the optical axis L. The cameramodule 400 may provide the auto focusing function by allowing the lens431 to move in a direction that is substantially parallel to the opticalaxis L of the lens 431.

The camera assembly 420 includes a third magnetic body 433 and a thirdcoil 495 in order to allow the lens carrier 430 to move (the L/−Ldirection) based on the optical axis L of the lens 431. The thirdmagnetic body 433 may be disposed on a side surface of the lens carrier430, and the third coil 495 may be disposed in the upper housing 429-1or the lower housing 429-2 to substantially face the third magnetic body433. The third magnetic body 433 and the third coil 495 mayelectromagnetically interact with each other.

The camera assembly 420 further includes a third sensor 496 configuredto sense a position of the third magnetic body 433. The third sensor 496may be disposed in the upper housing 429-1 or the lower housing 429-2.The third sensor 496 may sense a displacement of the lens carrier 430through the position of the third magnetic body 433 that moves togetherwith the lens carrier 430. The third sensor 496 may include a hallsensor that senses magnetic force of the third magnetic body 433. Thecamera module 400 may measure the position of the lens carrier 430 basedon a signal sensed by the third sensor 496.

The third sensor 496 may sense displacements of the lens carrier 430and/or the third magnetic body 433, and the electronic device mayprovide an auto focusing function using the third magnetic body 433 andthe third coil 495. Because the lens 431 moves with the lens carrier 430in the direction of the optical axis L (e.g., the L/−L direction), adistance from the image sensor 439 disposed in the second camera housing429 (e.g., the lower housing 429-2) may vary. As described above, theelectronic device may adjust a focal length by moving the lens carrier430 according to a distance of a component.

The camera assembly 420 includes the plurality of balls 434 disposedbetween the side surface of the lens carrier 430 and the second camerahousing 429. The plurality of balls 434 may provide rolling frictionforce between the lens carrier 430 and the second camera housing 429 ifthe lens carrier 430 moves in the direction of the optical axis L. Theplurality of balls 434 include a plurality of first balls 434-1 disposedat one side of the third magnetic body 433 and a plurality of secondballs 434-2 disposed on the other side of the third magnetic body 433.The plurality of first balls 434-1 and the plurality of second balls434-2 may be arranged in the direction of the optical axis L of the lens431.

The camera assembly 420 includes a guide member 435 and a guide rail 427in which the guide member 435 is accommodated in order to guide themovement of the lens carrier 430 in the direction of the optical axis L.The guide member 435 may protrude from the side surface of the lenscarrier 430, and the guide rail 427 may be disposed in the upper housing429-1 or the lower housing 429-2 in order to accommodate the guidemember 435. The guide rail 427 may be disposed in the lower housing429-2. The guide member 435 may be accommodated in the guide rail 427 inorder to guide the lens carrier 430 to move (e.g., the L/−L direction)with respect to the optical axis L.

The guide rail 427 may extend to be opened upward from a stepped surface428 disposed in the lower housing 429-2. If the lens carrier 430 movesdownward, the stepped surface 428 may support the guide member 435 tolimit a movement range of the lens carrier 430 in the downward direction(e.g., a −L direction).

FIG. 11 illustrates a camera assembly of a camera module according to anembodiment. Specifically, the camera assembly illustrated in FIG. 11omits the lens carrier illustrated in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, the camera assembly 420 includes a top surface 421substantially facing the optical axis L of the lens 431 and a sidesurface 423 facing a direction that is substantially perpendicular tothe optical axis L of the lens 431. The side surface 423 may include aplane having a normal vector (e.g., an X-axis and a Y-axis) that isperpendicular to the optical axis L.

The side surface 423 of the camera assembly 420 includes a first sidearea 423-1, a second side area 423-2 facing the first side area 423-1, athird side area 423-3 disposed between the first side area 423-1 and thesecond side area 423-2, and a fourth side area 423-4 facing the thirdside area 423-3. The first side area 423-1 may include a planesubstantially facing the −Y axis direction. The second side area 423-2may include a plane substantially facing the +Y axis direction. Thethird side area 423-3 may include a plane substantially facing the −Xaxis direction. The fourth side area 423-4 may include a planesubstantially facing the +X-axis direction.

The side surface 424 of the camera assembly 420 includes a first cornerarea 424-1, a second corner area 424-2 substantially facing the firstcorner area 424-1 in the direction of the first rotation axis, a thirdcorner area 424-3, and a fourth corner area 424-4 substantially facingthe third corner area 424-3 in the direction of the second rotationaxis. The first corner area 424-1 is disposed between the first sidearea 423-1 and the fourth side area 423-4, the second corner area 424-2is disposed between the second side area 423-2 and the third side area423-3, the third corner area 424-3 is disposed between the first sidearea 423-1 and the third side area 423-3, and the fourth corner area424-4 is disposed between the first side area 423-1 and the second sidearea 423-2.

The third corner area 424-3 may substantially face a third opposing areaof the camera housing. A third support structure to which a thirdportion of the guide plate is connected may be disposed on the thirdopposing area.

The fourth corner area 424-4 may substantially face a fourth opposingarea of the camera housing. For example, a fourth support structure towhich a fourth portion of the guide plate is connected may be disposedon the fourth opposing area.

The camera assembly 420 further includes a chamfer area 425 disposedbetween the fourth corner area 424-4 and the top surface 421. Thechamfer area 425 includes an area extending to be inclined downward fromthe top surface 421. The chamfer area 425 may define the top surface 421and a first corner E1.

The first corner area 424-1 may be disposed at a position spaced a firstdistance L1 from the second rotation axis R2, and the second corner area424-2 may be disposed at a position spaced a second distance L2 from thesecond rotation axis R2. The first distance L1 and the second distanceL2 may be distances measured in a direction perpendicular to the secondrotation axis R2.

The third corner area 424-3 may be disposed at a position spaced a thirddistance L3 from the first rotation axis R1, and the fourth corner area424-4 may be disposed at a position spaced a fourth distance L4 from therotation axis R1. The third distance L3 and the fourth distance L4 maybe distances measured in a direction perpendicular to the secondrotation axis R2. The fourth distance L4 may be greater than the thirddistance L3. That is, the camera assembly 420 may have a substantiallyrectangular shape. If a virtual plane P including the optical axis L ofthe lens 431 and having a normal vector X1 substantially parallel to theX-axis is defined, a distance La from the virtual plane P to the fourthside area 423-4 may be greater than a distance Lb from the virtual planeto the third side area 423-3, due to the third magnetic body 433 and theplurality of balls 434, which are disposed on the side surface of thelens carrier 430.

The first corner E1 may be disposed at a position spaced a fifthdistance L5 from the first rotation axis R1. The fifth distance L5 maybe substantially the same as the third distance L3.

The camera assembly 420 may include at least one magnetic body relatedto the image stabilization function of the camera module 400. The cameraassembly 420 may include two magnetic bodies, and the two magneticbodies may be disposed on adjacent side areas of the camera assembly420, respectively. In FIG. 11, a first magnetic body 481 is disposed onthe first side area 423-1, and a second magnetic body 482 is disposed ona third side area 423-3.

The camera assembly 420 may include a coil and a magnetic body relatedto the auto focusing function of the camera module 400. At least one ofthe coil and the magnetic body may be disposed on a side areasubstantially facing the side area on which either the first magneticbody 481 or the second magnetic body 482 is disposed. In FIG. 11, thethird coil 495 is disposed on the fourth side area 423-4 facing thethird side area 423-3 on which the second magnetic body 482 is disposed.

Each of the plurality of first balls 434-1 and the plurality of secondballs 434-2 may be disposed on the corner area extending from the sidearea on which the coil (e.g., the third coil 495) related to the autofocusing function is disposed. The plurality of balls 434 are disposedadjacent to the fourth corner area 424-4 and the first corner area424-1, which extend from the fourth side area 423-4.

The chamfer area 425 is disposed between the fourth corner area 424-4and the top surface 421 adjacent to the plurality of balls 434. Theplurality of first balls 434-1 adjacent to the chamfer area 425 may beconfigured to include the relatively small number of balls compared tothe plurality of second balls 434-2.

When the camera assembly 420 is viewed from above, the first corner E1defined by the chamfer area 425 and the top surface 421 may overlap theplurality of first balls 434-1.

The chamfer area 425 may be disposed between the corner area, which hasthe largest rotation radius among rotation radii defined in each cornerarea 424, and the top surface 421. For example, the fourth corner area424-4 may have the largest rotation radius by being farthest from theoptical axis L of the lens 431 compared to other corner areas. Thechamfer area 425 may be disposed between the fourth corner area 424-4and the top surface 421. In FIG. 11, because the chamfer area 425 isprovided, a maximum rotation radius related to the first rotation axisR1 of the camera assembly 420 may be defined as a fifth distance L5 fromthe first rotation axis R1 to the chamfer area 425. Accordingly, in therotation driving in which the camera assembly 420 rotates about thefirst rotation axis R1, the rotation radii on both sides of the firstrotation axis R1 may be substantially the same.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate a guide plate, a second cover, and acamera assembly of a camera module according to an embodiment. Morespecifically, FIG. 12A illustrates a basic state, FIG. 12B illustrates arotation state in a first rotation direction (e.g., a counterclockwisedirection) with respect to a first rotation axis, and FIG. 12Cillustrates a rotation state in a second rotation direction (e.g., aclockwise direction) with respect to the first rotation axis.

Each of FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate a side view from a directionA of FIG. 11. Because components of FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C may besimilar to those of FIGS. 6 and 11, repetitive descriptions of thesecomponents are omitted below.

Referring to FIG. 12, the camera assembly 420 may include a top surface421 substantially facing the guide plate 450, a bottom surface 422facing the top surface 421, and a side surface 423 and a corner area424, which surround an area between the top surface 421 and the bottomsurface 422.

Referring to FIG. 12A, the camera assembly 420 may rotate about thefirst rotation axis R1 relative to the guide plate 450. The guide plate450 may be fixed to the first camera housing 410.

The first rotation axis R1 may be defined on the first corner area424-1. The first corner area 424-1 may be disposed between the firstside area 423-1 and the fourth side area 423-4. The second rotation axisR2 may be defined to pass through the third corner area 424-3 and thefourth corner area 424-4.

The second central portion 455-2 may be configured to increase in gapwith the top surface 421 from the optical axis L of the lens 431 towardthe second rotation axis R2.

The gap between the second central portion 455-2 and the top surface 421may increase from the optical axis L of the lens 431 toward the secondrotation axis R2.

The second extension portion 464 may extend to be inclined from thesecond central portion 455-2. The second extension portion 464 mayextend to be inclined from the second central portion 455-2 toward thefirst side area 423-1 and the fourth side area 423-4. The thirdextension portion 465 may extend to be inclined from the secondextension portion 464 and may include a plane substantially facing theoptical axis L of the lens 431. The second coupling portion 462 mayextend to be inclined from the third extension portion 465 and mayinclude a plane substantially facing the second rotation axis R2.

The second extension portion 464 and the second central portion 455-2may define a second corner E2. The second corner E2 may overlap thesecond extension portion 464 or the second central portion 455-2 if thecamera assembly 420 is viewed in the direction of the optical axis L ofthe lens 431.

The guide plate 450 may be disposed so that the third portion 453 andthe fourth portion 454 are symmetrical to each other with respect to theoptical axis L of the lens 431.

The second corner E2 included in the third portion 453 and the fourthportion 454 may overlap the second central portion 455-2 when the cameraassembly 420 is viewed in the direction of the optical axis L of thelens 431. The basic state may include a state in which the optical axisL of the lens 431 and the Z-axis are substantially parallel to eachother.

The top surface 421 and the second corner area 424-2 may define a thirdcorner E3.

When the camera assembly 420 rotates about the first rotation axis R1,the first corner E1 may define a first maximum rotation radius D1 of thecamera assembly 420, and the third corner E3 may define a second maximumrotation radius D2 of the camera assembly 420. As described above withreference to FIG. 11, the chamfer area 425 may be disposed between thefourth corner area 424-4 and the top surface 421 of the camera assembly420 in order to reduce a difference between the first maximum rotationradius D1 and the second maximum rotation radius D2.

The first corner E1 may be spaced a first distance L1 from the Z-axis inthe direction of the second rotation axis R2. The third corner E3 may bespaced a third distance L3 from the Z-axis in the direction of thesecond rotation axis R2. The second corner E2 included in each of thethird portion 453 and the fourth portion 454 may be spaced a seconddistance L2 from the Z-axis in the direction of the second rotation axisR2. The first distance L1 may be greater than the second distance L2 andless than the third distance L3. In various embodiments, the thirddistance L3 may be greater than the first distance L1.

Referring to FIG. 12B, the second corner E2 included in the thirdportion 453 may overlap the second extension portion 464 when the cameraassembly 420 is viewed in the optical axis direction L of the lens 431.The second corner E2 included in the fourth portion 454 may overlap thesecond central portion 455-2 when the camera assembly 420 is viewed inthe direction of the optical axis L of the lens 431. In the firstrotation state, the first distance L1 may decrease, and the thirddistance L3 may increase compared to the basic state of FIG. 12A. Thefirst distance L may be less than the second distance L2, and the thirddistance L3 may be greater than the second distance L2.

Referring to FIG. 12C, the second corner E2 included in the thirdportion 453 may overlap the second central portion 455-2 when the cameraassembly 420 is viewed in the optical axis direction L of the lens 431.The second corner E2 included in the fourth portion 454 may overlap thesecond extension portion 464 when the camera assembly 420 is viewed inthe direction of the optical axis L of the lens 431. In the secondrotation state, the first distance L1 may increase, and the thirddistance L3 may decrease compared to the basic state of FIG. 12A. Thefirst distance L1 may be greater than the second distance L2, and thethird distance L3 may be less than the second distance L2.

Referring to FIGS. 12B and 12C, at least a portion of the top surface421 of the camera assembly 420 may be in contact with the guide plate450. For example, the guide plate 450 may be configured so that thesecond central portion 455-2 is inclined upward at a predetermined angletoward the second rotation axis R2. The predetermined angle may be amaximum rotation angle at which the camera assembly 420 is capable ofrotating about the first rotation axis R1. The guide plate 450 may beconfigured so that a spaced distance of the second central portion 455-2from the top surface 421 of the camera assembly 420 further increasestoward the second rotation axis R2. The spaced distance may be relatedto a rotation radius of the top surface 421 of the camera assembly 420.In an area of the top surface 421, which is further away from the lens431, a change in height may be greater in the rotation state. In orderto prevent collision between the guide plate 450 and the camera assembly420 from occurring, the guide plate 450 may be configured to have alarger gap with the top surface 421 in a direction that is away from thelens 431.

The guide plate 450 may be configured to maintain a small gap with thefirst corner E1 and the third corner E3 in the basic state and therotation state. This may optimize a movable space of the camera assembly420 to reduce the size of the camera module 400. Referring to theenlarged view, the second extension portion 464 may be inclined to haveas small gap G as possible with a virtual arc surface A defined by thefirst corner E1 or the third corner E3 from the first rotation axis R1.

The camera assembly 420 includes a holder 440 surrounding at least aportion of the side surface 423. The first magnetic body 481 and thesecond magnetic body 482 may be disposed on the holder 440. The holder440 may be configured to have a height less than a height of the cameraassembly 420. The height may be a length measured in the direction ofthe optical axis L of the lens 431. The guide plate 450 may beconfigured so that the second extension portion 464 and the thirdextension portion 465 are spaced a predetermined distance from theholder 440. The third extension portion 465 may extend from the secondextension portion 464 in the direction of the second rotation axis R2,and an extension length may be related to a thickness of the holder 440protruding from the camera assembly in the direction of the secondrotation axis R2.

The camera module 400 furthers include a second cover 402. The secondcover 402 includes a transparent area 402 a, which is aligned with thelens and is transparent so that light is incident on the lens, and anopaque area 402 b disposed on a peripheral portion of the transparentarea 402 a and covering at least a portion of the guide plate 450. Theopaque area 402 b may be inclined so that the cross-sectional area iswider toward the top surface 421. The opaque area 402 b may be connectedto the transparent area 402 a to have a predetermined height difference.

FIG. 13 illustrates a guide plate, a second cover, and a camera assemblyof a camera module according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side viewfrom direction B of FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 13, the second rotation axis R2 may be defined on thethird corner area 424-3. The third corner area 424-3 may be disposedbetween the third side area 423-3 and the first side area 423-1. Thefirst rotation axis R1 may be defined to pass through the second cornerarea 424-2 and the first corner area 424-1.

When the camera assembly 420 rotates about the second rotation axis R2,the camera assembly 420 may rotate together with the guide plate 450.Thus, the top surface 421 of the camera assembly 420 and the guide plate450 may not collide with each other.

Each of the first portion 451 and the second portion 452 of the guideplate 450 include a first extension portion 463 extending from the firstcentral portion 455-1 to the first coupling portion 461. The firstextension portion 463 may be inclined in consideration of the protrudingthickness of the holder 440. For example, the first extension portion463 may extend to be inclined from the first central portion 455-1toward the second corner area 424-2 and the first corner area 424-1. Theextension length of the first extension portion 463 may be greater thanthe protruding thickness of the holder 440.

The opaque area 402 b of the second cover 402 may be inclined so thatthe cross-sectional area increases from the transparent area 402 atoward the top surface 421 of the camera assembly 420. The opaque area402 b may be inclined in consideration of the inclination of the firstextension portion 463 of the guide plate 450. The opaque area 402 b maybe connected to the transparent area 402 a to have a predeterminedheight difference.

A predetermined space may be defined between the second cover 402 andthe guide plate 450. The predetermined space may be related to a maximumrotation angle at which the camera assembly 420 rotates about the secondrotation axis R2.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 14 illustrates across-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Referring to FIG. 14, the camera module 400 is disposed inside theelectronic device 300. For example, the camera module 400 may bedisposed inside the electronic device 300 so that the lens 431 isexposed through the camera areas 310G and 310H.

The camera module 400 includes a first camera housing 410, a cameraassembly 420, and an FPCB 408. The first camera housing 410 includes afirst portion 410 a at which the camera assembly 420 is disposed and asecond portion 410 b at which the FPCB 408 is disposed. The firstportion 451 and the second portion 452 may be connected to each other ina stepped manner. The first camera housing 410 further includes a secondcover 402 that covers the lens 431 and the lens barrel 432. A space 419in which the camera assembly 420 is rotatable may be defined inside thefirst portion 410 a of the first camera housing 410.

The camera areas 310G and 310H may be disposed above the lens barrel 432to cover the lens 431. The camera areas 310G and 310H may be provided tobe transparent. A decor member 418 may be disposed around the lensbarrel 432. The decor member 418 may be disposed between the cameraareas 310G and 310H and the second cover 402. The decor member 418 maybe provided to be opaque so that the camera module 400 other than thelens 431 and the lens barrel 432 is not exposed to the outside. Thedecor member 418 may support a member of which a portion supports thecamera areas 310G and 310H, and a remaining portion defines the surfaces310A and 310B of the electronic device 300.

At least portions of the lens 431 and the lens barrel 432 of the cameramodule 400 may protrude through the surfaces 310A and 310B of theelectronic device 300. In order to reduce the protruding height, thefirst portion 451 of the first camera housing 410 may be connected in amanner 410 c in which the first portion 451 is stepped 410 c withrespect to the second portion 452 in the inner direction of theelectronic device 300. Therefore, the first portion 451 having arelatively high height (e.g., a height in the optical axis direction L)may be disposed inside the electronic device 300 in order to reduce theprotruding height.

According to an embodiment, a camera module includes a camera housing; acamera assembly which includes a lens and an image sensor and of whichat least a portion is disposed inside the camera housing; and a guideplate connected to the camera assembly and the camera housing so thatthe camera assembly is rotatable with respect to each of a firstrotation axis R1 and a second rotation axis R2, which are substantiallyperpendicular to an optical axis L of the lens, wherein the guide platemay include a central portion disposed in a peripheral portion of thelens, a first portion and a second portion, which extend from thecentral portion in a direction of the first rotation axis R1 and arerotatably connected to the camera assembly, and a third portion and afourth portion, which extend from the central portion in a direction ofthe second rotation axis R2 and are rotatably connected to the camerahousing, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion mayinclude a first coupling portion coupled to the camera housing and afirst extension portion extending from the central portion to the firstcoupling portion and extending to be inclined from the central portion,and wherein each of the third portion and the fourth portion may includea second coupling portion coupled to the camera housing and a secondextension portion extending from the central portion to the secondcoupling portion and extending to be inclined from the central portion.

The central portion of the guide plate may include an opening regionaligned with the lens, a first central portion extending from aperipheral portion of the opening region to the first extension portion,and a second central portion extending from the peripheral portion ofthe opening region to the second extension portion, wherein the firstcentral portion may include a plane substantially facing the opticalaxis of the lens, and wherein the second central portion may be inclinedupward toward the optical axis L of the lens from the peripheral portionof the opening region in the direction of the second rotation axis R2.

The camera assembly may include a top surface to which the lens isexposed, and wherein the second central portion of the guide plate isconfigured to increase in gap with the top surface from the peripheralportion of the opening region toward the second rotation axis R2.

Each of the third portion and the fourth portion of the guide plate mayfurther include a third extension portion disposed between the secondextension portion and the second coupling portion, wherein the thirdextension portion may include a plane substantially facing the opticalaxis L of the lens.

The camera assembly may include first support structures configured torotatably support the first portion and the second portion of the guideplate, wherein each of the first support structures may include a firstprotruding portion protruding toward the optical axis of the lens in thedirection of the first rotation axis R1, and wherein each of the firstportion and the second portion of the guide plate may include a firstaccommodation portion in which the first protruding portion isaccommodated.

The camera housing 410 may include second support structures configuredto rotatably support the third portion and the fourth portion of theguide plate, wherein each of the second support structures may include asecond protruding portion protruding toward the optical axis of the lensin the direction of the second rotation axis R2, and wherein each of thethird portion and the fourth portion of the guide plate may include asecond accommodation portion in which the second protruding portion isaccommodated.

The camera assembly may include a top surface to which the lens isexposed and which faces the optical axis of the lens, a bottom surfacefacing the top surface, and side surfaces disposed between the topsurface and the bottom surface, and wherein the guide plate may beconfigured so that the central portion is disposed on the top surface,and each of the first portion, the second portion, the third portion,and the fourth portion extends from the top surface to the sidesurfaces.

Each of the side surfaces of the camera assembly may include a chamferarea extending to be inclined from the top surface and configured todefine a first corner together with the top surface, wherein the chamferarea is disposed to face the second extension portion of the guideplate.

When the camera assembly is viewed in the direction of the optical axisL, the first corner E1 may overlap the central portion in a state inwhich the camera assembly maximally rotates in the first rotationdirection with respect to the first rotation axis R1 and may overlap thesecond extension portion in a state in which the camera assemblymaximally rotates in a second rotation direction that is opposite to thefirst rotation direction with respect to the first rotation axis R1.

The first corner E1 may be disposed at a position that is spaced a firstdistance from the optical axis L of the lens in the direction of thesecond rotation axis R2 in a state in which the camera assemblymaximally rotates in the first rotation direction with respect to thefirst rotation axis R1 and may be disposed at a position that is spaceda second distance greater than the first distance from the optical axisof the lens in the direction of the second rotation axis R2 in a statein which the camera assembly maximally rotates in the second rotationdirection with respect to the first rotation axis R1, wherein the guideplate may be configured so that a second corner E2 defined by thecentral portion and the second extension portion is disposed at aposition that is spaced a third distance from the optical axis L of thelens in the direction of the second rotation axis R2, wherein the thirddistance is greater than the first distance and less than the seconddistance.

The camera assembly may include a top surface to which the lens isexposed and which faces the optical axis L of the lens, a bottom surfacefacing the top surface, and side surfaces disposed between the topsurface and the bottom surface, wherein the side surfaces may include afirst corner area disposed at one side in the direction of the firstrotation axis R1, a second corner area disposed at the other side in thedirection of the first rotation axis R1, a third corner area disposed atone side in the direction of the second rotation axis R2, and a fourthcorner area disposed at the other side in the direction of the secondrotation axis, wherein the first portion and the second portion of theguide plate are connected to the first corner area and the second cornerarea, respectively, and wherein the camera housing may include a thirdopposing area substantially facing the third corner area and a fourthopposing area substantially facing the fourth corner area, wherein thethird portion and the fourth portion of the guide plate may be connectedto the third opposing area and the fourth opposing area, respectively.

Each of the side surfaces may further include a chamfer area disposedbetween any one of the third corner area and the fourth corner area andthe top surface.

The third corner area may be disposed at a position that is spaced afirst distance from the optical axis L of the lens in the direction ofthe second rotation axis R2, wherein the fourth corner area may bedisposed at a position that is spaced a second distance greater than thefirst distance from the optical axis L of the lens in the direction ofthe second rotation axis R2, and wherein the chamfer area may bedisposed between the fourth corner area and the top surface.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a camera module includes acamera housing; a camera assembly which includes a lens and an imagesensor and of which at least a portion is disposed inside the camerahousing; and a guide plate connected to the camera assembly and thecamera housing so that the camera assembly is rotatable with respect toeach of a first rotation axis R1 and a second rotation axis R2, whichare substantially perpendicular to an optical axis L of the lens,wherein the camera assembly may include a second camera housing in whichthe image sensor is disposed, a lens carrier of which at least a portionis disposed inside the second camera housing and which includes thelens, and a plurality of balls disposed between the lens carrier and thesecond camera housing, wherein the second camera housing may include atop surface to which the lens is exposed, a bottom surface facing thetop surface, and side surfaces disposed between the top surface and thebottom surface, wherein the side surfaces may include a first cornerarea and a second corner area, which substantially face each other inthe direction of the first rotation axis R1, and third corner area andthe fourth corner area, which substantially face each other in adirection of the second rotation axis R2, wherein the plurality of ballsmay include a plurality of first balls adjacent to the fourth cornerarea and a plurality of second balls adjacent to the first corner areaand including the more number of balls compared to the plurality offirst balls, and wherein a chamfer area may be disposed between thefourth corner area and the top surface.

The chamfer area and the top surface may define a first corner, and whenthe camera assembly is viewed in the direction of the optical axis, thechamfer area may overlap the plurality of first balls.

A rotation center point C at which the optical axis L of the lens, thefirst rotation axis R1, and the second rotation axis R2 cross each othermay be defined, wherein when the camera assembly rotates about the firstrotation axis R1, the camera assembly may be configured so that thethird corner area may has a first radius from the rotation center pointC in the direction of the second rotation axis R2, and the fourth cornerarea has a second radius less than the first radius from the rotationcenter point in the direction of the second rotation axis.

In various embodiments, the side surfaces of the camera assembly mayinclude a first side area disposed between the first corner area and thethird corner area, a second side area disposed between the second cornerarea and the fourth corner area, a third side area disposed between thesecond corner area and the third corner area, and a fourth side areadisposed between the first corner area and the fourth corner area,wherein the camera assembly may include a first magnetic body disposedon the first side area and a second magnetic body disposed on the thirdside area, wherein the camera housing may include a first coilsubstantially facing the first magnetic body and a second coilsubstantially facing the second magnetic body, and wherein the cameraassembly may rotate about at least one of the first rotation axis R1 orthe second rotation axis R2 by using the first coil and the second coil.

The camera assembly may include a third coil disposed on the fourth sidearea and a third magnetic body disposed on the lens carrier in order tosubstantially face the third coil, wherein the camera module may movethe lens by using the third coil in a direction that is substantiallyparallel to the optical axis L of the lens.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a portable communicationdevice includes: a camera housing; a camera assembly which includes alens and an image sensor and of which at least a portion is disposedinside the camera housing; a guide plate connected to the cameraassembly and the camera housing so that the camera assembly is rotatablewith respect to each of a first rotation axis R1 and a second rotationaxis R2, which are substantially perpendicular to an optical axis L ofthe lens, wherein the guide plate may include a first portion and asecond portion, which are rotatably connected to the camera assembly,and a third portion and a fourth portion, which are rotatably connectedto the camera housing; a PCB disposed in the camera housing in order tosurround at least a portion of the camera assembly; a plurality of coilsincluding a first coil disposed on a first area of the PCB, a secondcoil disposed on a second area of the PCB, and a third coil disposed onat least a portion of the camera assembly; and a processor electricallyconnected to the PCB, the first coil, the second coil, and the thirdcoil, wherein the processor may perform a first function related to thecamera assembly by rotating the camera assembly about at least one ofthe first rotation axis or the second rotation axis R2 by using at leastone of the first coil or the second coil and perform a second functionrelated to the camera assembly by moving the lens using the third coilin a direction that is substantially parallel to the optical axis L ofthe lens.

The portable communication device may be set so that when the processorallows the camera assembly to rotate about the first rotation axis R1corresponding to the first portion and the second portion of the guideplate, the camera assembly relatively rotates about the first rotationaxis R1 with respect to the first portion and the second portion, andwhen the processor allows the camera assembly to rotate about the secondrotation axis R2 corresponding to the third portion and the fourthportion of the guide plate, the camera assembly relatively rotates aboutthe second rotation axis R2 together with at least a portion of theguide plate.

The first function may include a function related to auto focusing, andthe second function may include a function related to imagestabilization.

A camera module according to an embodiment of the disclosure may providethe function related to the image stabilization in addition to thefunction related to the auto focusing.

In addition, the various effects that are directly or indirectlyidentified through the disclosure may be provided.

While the disclosure has been shown and described above with referenceto certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as definedby the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera module, comprising: a camera housing; acamera assembly including a lens and an image sensor, wherein at least aportion of the camera assembly is disposed inside the camera housing;and a guide plate connected to the camera assembly and the camerahousing, wherein the camera assembly is rotatable with respect to eachof a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis, which aresubstantially perpendicular to an optical axis L of the lens, whereinthe guide plate includes a central portion disposed in a peripheralportion of the lens, a first portion and a second portion, which extendfrom the central portion in a direction of the first rotation axis andare rotatably connected to the camera assembly, and a third portion anda fourth portion, which extend from the central portion in a directionof the second rotation axis and are rotatably connected to the camerahousing, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion of theguide plate includes a first coupling portion coupled to the camerahousing and a first extension portion extending from the central portionto the first coupling portion and extending to be inclined from thecentral portion, and wherein each of the third portion and the fourthportion of the guide plate includes a second coupling portion coupled tothe camera housing and a second extension portion extending from thecentral portion to the second coupling portion and extending to beinclined from the central portion.
 2. The camera module of claim 1,wherein the central portion of the guide plate includes an openingregion aligned with the lens, a first central portion extending from aperipheral portion of the opening region to the first extension portion,and a second central portion extending from the peripheral portion ofthe opening region to the second extension portion, wherein the firstcentral portion includes a plane substantially facing the optical axisof the lens, and wherein the second central portion is inclined upwardtoward the optical axis of the lens from the peripheral portion of theopening region in the direction of the second rotation axis.
 3. Thecamera module of claim 2, wherein the camera assembly further includes atop surface to which the lens is exposed, and wherein the second centralportion of the guide plate is configured to increase in gap with the topsurface from the peripheral portion of the opening region toward thesecond rotation axis.
 4. The camera module of claim 1, wherein each ofthe third portion and the fourth portion of the guide plate furtherincludes a third extension portion disposed between the second extensionportion and the second coupling portion, and wherein the third extensionportion includes a plane substantially facing the optical axis of thelens.
 5. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the camera assemblyfurther includes first support structures configured to rotatablysupport the first portion and the second portion of the guide plate,wherein each of the first support structures includes a first protrudingportion protruding toward the optical axis of the lens in the directionof the first rotation axis, and wherein each of the first portion andthe second portion of the guide plate includes a first accommodationportion in which the first protruding portion is accommodated.
 6. Thecamera module of claim 1, wherein the camera housing includes secondsupport structures configured to rotatably support the third portion andthe fourth portion of the guide plate, wherein each of the secondsupport structures includes a second protruding portion protrudingtoward the optical axis of the lens in the direction of the secondrotation axis, and wherein each of the third portion and the fourthportion of the guide plate includes a second accommodation portion inwhich the second protruding portion is accommodated.
 7. The cameramodule of claim 1, wherein the camera assembly includes a top surface towhich the lens is exposed and which faces the optical axis of the lens,a bottom surface facing the top surface, and side surfaces disposedbetween the top surface and the bottom surface, and wherein the guideplate is configured so that the central portion is disposed on the topsurface, and each of the first portion, the second portion, the thirdportion, and the fourth portion extends from the top surface to the sidesurfaces.
 8. The camera module of claim 7, wherein each of the sidesurfaces of the camera assembly includes a chamfer area extending to beinclined from the top surface and configured to define a first cornertogether with the top surface, and wherein the chamfer area is disposedto face the second extension portion of the guide plate.
 9. The cameramodule of claim 8, wherein when the camera assembly is viewed in thedirection of the optical axis, the first corner overlaps the centralportion while the camera assembly maximally rotates in the firstrotation direction with respect to the first rotation axis, and thefirst corner overlaps the second extension portion while the cameraassembly maximally rotates in a second rotation direction that isopposite to the first rotation direction with respect to the firstrotation axis.
 10. The camera module of claim 9, wherein the firstcorner is disposed: at a first position spaced a first distance from theoptical axis of the lens in the direction of the second rotation axiswhile the camera assembly maximally rotates in the first rotationdirection with respect to the first rotation axis; and at a secondposition spaced a second distance from the optical axis of the lens inthe direction of the second rotation axis while the camera assemblymaximally rotates in the second rotation direction with respect to thefirst rotation axis, wherein the second distance is greater than thefirst distance, wherein the guide plate is configured so that a secondcorner defined by the central portion and the second extension portionis disposed at a third position spaced a third distance from the opticalaxis of the lens in the direction of the second rotation axis, andwherein the third distance is greater than the first distance and lessthan the second distance.
 11. The camera module of claim 1, wherein thecamera assembly further includes a top surface to which the lens isexposed and which faces the optical axis of the lens, a bottom surfacefacing the top surface, and side surfaces disposed between the topsurface and the bottom surface, wherein the side surfaces includes afirst corner area disposed at one side in the direction of the firstrotation axis, a second corner area disposed at the other side in thedirection of the first rotation axis, a third corner area disposed atone side in the direction of the second rotation axis, and a fourthcorner area disposed at the other side in the direction of the secondrotation axis, wherein the first portion and the second portion of theguide plate are connected to the first corner area and the second cornerarea, respectively, wherein the camera housing includes a third opposingarea substantially facing the third corner area and a fourth opposingarea substantially facing the fourth corner area, and wherein the thirdportion and the fourth portion of the guide plate are connected to thethird opposing area and the fourth opposing area, respectively.
 12. Thecamera module of claim 11, wherein each of the side surfaces furtherincludes a chamfer area disposed between any one of the third cornerarea and the fourth corner area and the top surface.
 13. The cameramodule of claim 12, wherein the third corner area is disposed at a firstposition spaced a first distance from the optical axis of the lens inthe direction of the second rotation axis, wherein the fourth cornerarea is disposed at a second position spaced a second distance from theoptical axis of the lens in the direction of the second rotation axis,wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, andwherein the chamfer area is disposed between the fourth corner area andthe top surface.
 14. A camera module, comprising: a camera housing; acamera assembly including a lens and an image sensor, wherein at least aportion of the camera assembly is disposed inside the camera housing;and a guide plate connected to the camera assembly and the camerahousing, wherein the camera assembly is rotatable with respect to eachof a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis, which aresubstantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens, wherein thecamera assembly further includes a second camera housing in which theimage sensor is disposed, a lens carrier of which at least a portion isdisposed inside the second camera housing and which comprises the lens,and a plurality of balls disposed between the lens carrier and thesecond camera housing, wherein the second camera housing includes a topsurface to which the lens is exposed, a bottom surface facing the topsurface, and side surfaces disposed between the top surface and thebottom surface, wherein the side surfaces includes a first corner areaand a second corner area, which substantially face each other in thedirection of the first rotation axis, and third corner area and thefourth corner area, which substantially face each other in a directionof the second rotation axis, wherein the plurality of balls include aplurality of first balls adjacent to the fourth corner area and aplurality of second balls adjacent to the first corner area, wherein theplurality of second balls is greater than the plurality of first balls,and wherein a chamfer area is disposed between the fourth corner areaand the top surface.
 15. The camera module of claim 14, wherein thechamfer area and the top surface defines a first corner, and when thecamera assembly is viewed in the direction of the optical axis, thechamfer area overlaps the plurality of first balls.
 16. The cameramodule of claim 14, wherein the optical axis of the lens, the firstrotation axis, and the second rotation axis cross each other at arotation center point, wherein when the camera assembly rotates aboutthe first rotation axis, the camera assembly is configured so that thethird corner area has a first radius from the rotation center point inthe direction of the second rotation axis, and the fourth corner areahas a second radius less than the first radius from the rotation centerpoint in the direction of the second rotation axis.
 17. The cameramodule of claim 14, wherein the side surfaces of the camera assemblyincludes a first side area disposed between the first corner area andthe third corner area, a second side area disposed between the secondcorner area and the fourth corner area, a third side area disposedbetween the second corner area and the third corner area, and a fourthside area disposed between the first corner area and the fourth cornerarea, wherein the camera assembly further includes a first magnetic bodydisposed on the first side area and a second magnetic body disposed onthe third side area, wherein the camera housing further includes a firstcoil substantially facing the first magnetic body and a second coilsubstantially facing the second magnetic body, and wherein the cameraassembly rotates about at least one of the first rotation axis or thesecond rotation axis by using the first coil and the second coil. 18.The camera module of claim 17, wherein the camera assembly furtherincludes a third coil disposed on the fourth side area and a thirdmagnetic body disposed on the lens carrier in order to substantiallyface the third coil, and wherein the camera module moves the lens byusing the third coil in a direction that is substantially parallel tothe optical axis of the lens.
 19. A portable communication devicecomprises: a camera housing; a camera assembly including a lens and animage sensor, wherein at least a portion of the camera assembly isdisposed inside the camera housing; a guide plate connected to thecamera assembly and the camera housing, wherein the camera assembly isrotatable with respect to each of a first rotation axis and a secondrotation axis, which are substantially perpendicular to an optical axisof the lens, and wherein the guide plate includes a first portion and asecond portion, which are rotatably connected to the camera assembly,and a third portion and a fourth portion, which are rotatably connectedto the camera housing; a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed in thecamera housing and surrounding at least a portion of the cameraassembly; a plurality of coils including a first coil disposed on afirst area of the PCB, a second coil disposed on a second area of thePCB, and a third coil disposed on at least a portion of the cameraassembly; and a processor electrically connected to the, the first coil,the second coil, and the third coil, wherein the processor is configuredto perform: a first function related to the camera assembly by rotatingthe camera assembly about at least one of the first rotation axis or thesecond rotation axis by using at least one of the first coil or thesecond coil; and a second function related to the camera assembly bymoving the lens using the third coil in a direction that issubstantially parallel to the optical axis L of the lens.
 20. Theportable communication device of claim 19, wherein the camera assemblyrelatively rotates about the first rotation axis with respect to thefirst portion and the second portion, when the processor allows thecamera assembly to rotate about the first rotation axis corresponding tothe first portion and the second portion of the guide plate, and whereinthe camera assembly relatively rotates about the second rotation axistogether with at least a portion of the guide plate, when the processorallows the camera assembly to rotate about the second rotation axiscorresponding to the third portion and the fourth portion of the guideplate.